Press Release
Published on September 7, 2016
New York City—Today in remarks during the United Nations’ High Level Forum on Global Antisemitism, Human Rights First’s Susan Corke urged governments around the world to view antisemitism as a grave threat to the rights of all. She pressed U.N. member nations to take steps to fight antisemitism and extremism by building diverse coalitions that counter that threat, and to avoid policies that fuel marginalization and divisiveness.
“Today’s discussion is particularly important in light of multiple critical issues intersecting this year around antisemitism, including the global refugee crisis and xenophobic far-right parties, terror attacks and backlash against Muslim communities, and the rise of extremist groups exploiting divisive narratives and sowing a culture of fear and intolerance,” noted Corke.
The past decade has seen the ascendance of several far-right political parties across Europe. These groups—many of which have been roundly criticized for their antisemitic, islamophobic, xenophobic, and/or racist rhetoric and policy proposals—have seen huge gains in recent European Parliament and national elections.
Today’s discussion at the U.N. focused on best practices for strengthening cooperation and dialogue between a diverse group of civil society actors, as well as with representatives of governments and technology companies in Europe, the United States and beyond. The United Nations conversation comes one week before Human Rights First co-hosts an historic forum for civil society, government, and tech companies in Paris to discuss countering online extremism and antisemitism in France.
In response to growing antisemitic violence in Europe, Human Rights First released a fact sheet on how to combat antisemitism and extremism in Germany and also issued a comprehensive report for how to do so in France. In that report, “Breaking the Cycle of Violence,” Human Rights First examined antisemitism and extremism in France and how U.S. government leaders can work with their French counterparts to prevent future attacks, promote greater tolerance and inclusiveness, and chart a path forward that upholds our shared commitment to human rights as an integral part of national security. The report came weeks after November’s tragic terrorist attacks in Paris that killed 130 individuals and wounded hundreds more. The problems in France are all the more pressing due to the upcoming French presidential election in 2017, the rise of far-right parties, and the effects of the global refugee crisis in France.
Today’s conversation begins at 3:45pm EST and is available to watch live.
